The Funding Illinois’ Future coalition commends the hard work of the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission and its move to make the education funding system more equitable and adequate. We’re pleased that the Commission agrees that any new money will be provided to the neediest schools first, and that local contributions to school funding will be taken into account. We urge legislators to introduce and swiftly pass bipartisan, bicameral legislation that ends the chronic underfunding of low-income schools and gives all students the education they deserve. Through its inaction, Illinois risks letting another generation pass through its schools without preparing its students for college and career.

Illinois needs a funding system that is equitable, adequate and fair. Illinois remains worst-in-the-nation in providing resources for low-income school districts. For every dollar Illinois spends on a non-low-income student, it spends 81 cents on a low-income student. Legislative action is needed now so that schools can reduce class sizes, provide updated textbooks and offer more classes in art, foreign language and music next school year.

About Funding Illinois’ Future
Funding Illinois’ Future is a coalition of more than 200 school districts, school superintendents, community- and faith-based organizations working toward fixing Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation school funding formula with the goal of giving every student in Illinois the education they deserve. To learn more, and to sign up for our e-newsletter, visit www.fundingilfuture.org, or like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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